ABSTRACT
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cognitive rehabilitation for depression, cognitive function, ADL, and QOL in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). In addition, we evaluated the effects of cognitive rehabilitation on customer satisfaction with long-term care facilities and rehabilitation.Methods: This study included 8 participants with PSD who were residents of a long-term care facility located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. In addition to their ordinary rehabilitation (2 sessions per week, 20 minutes per session), participants underwent 36 sessions of cognitive rehabilitation (3 sessions per week, 20 minutes per session, for 12 weeks). Primary outcome measures: Depression severity was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Zung Self Depression Scale (SDS), and the Depression Scale of the Japan Stroke Scale (JSS-D). Frontal lobe function was assessed using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Secondary outcome measures: QOL was assessed using SF-8. Customer Satisfaction with the rehabilitation was measured using the Customer Satisfaction Scale based on Need Satisfaction (CSSNS). Assessments were performed before and after the rehabilitation.Results: The severity scores of depression, frontal lobe function, and customer satisfaction with the rehabilitation all significantly improved after the cognitive rehabilitation sessions.Conclusions: The results obtained in this trial indicate that, for patients with PSD depressive symptoms, frontal lobe function, QOL, and rehabilitation customer satisfaction may be improved by the inclusion of cognitive rehabilitation sessions alongside regular rehabilitation.